Essential Arabic Travel Phrases That Won't Leave You Stumbling

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” Well, this is quite the common advice everyone gets when visiting a foreign country, however, if you are planning a trip to an Arabic-speaking country, you need more than that. The Arab world is rich in different civilizations, amazing places, and famous landmarks that you can relish, but it is always better to get acquainted with some of the most essential Arabic travel phrases in their mother tongue before starting your trip.

 

Just as there are some small mistakes to avoid or rules to adapt, on the other hand, you will also find many Arabic words and expressions that can indicate your gratitude and respect for their culture, as well as start a good conversation or communicate more smoothly, and we'll wrap up a few of them.

 

The Arabic language has a wide range of different dialects, some of which are not fully understood in other Arab countries. We'll start by learning common travel phrases in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) since it's the official version in most of the Arab world.

 

 

Greetings, goodbyes and appreciation phrases in Arabic:

 

Obviously, any communication in all tongues ​​begin with a warm greeting, followed by expressions of appreciation, and ends with a decent good-bye, and that's what we'll provide first!

Hello, Welcome           Márhaba, ahlan   مرحبا، أهلاً

Good morning                 sabah alkhayr     صباح الخير

Good afternoon/evening              masa’u alkhayr     مساء الخير

 Peace be up on you      as-salam alaikum السلام عليكم

Goodbye                           maa’a as-salama   مع السلامة  

Thank you                         shukran                  شكراً

Please                                men fadlak                            من فضلك

You are welcome              afwan                                     عفواً

 I’m sorry                             ana Asif                                     أنا آسف

 

Travel-related words:

 

Reservation                         Hajz      حجز

Passport                                jawaaz as-saafar        جواز السفر

Airport                                   mataar                  مطار

Hotel                                     funduq                    فندق

Room                                    ghurfa                             غرفة

Customs                              al-jumruk                         الجمرك

Waiting/departure area    saalat al-intidhaar            صالة الإنتظار

Bus                                          haafila                                           حافلة

Ticket                                      tadhkirah                          تذكرة

 Visa                                         ta'shiira                                        تأشيرة

 

Survival Arabic phrases:

 

I’m lost                          ana taa-eh                              أنا تائه

I am from:                      ana min                                     أنا من:

What time is it?                     kam alwakt?                    كم الوقت

How much?                          Bikaim?                        بكم؟

Can you help me?             hal yomkinak mosaadaty?    هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟

I need a doctor                   uriidu tabiban                       أريد طبيباً

Where’s the train station?      Ayna mahatat alqitar أين محطة القطار

I want a ticket to             uriidu tadhkirah ela   أريد تذكرة إلى

I want to travel by car   uriidu an usaafar bi as-sayyaara أريد أن أسافر بالسيارة

Do you speak English?  Hal tatakallam al-inglizia هل تتكلم الإنجليزية

Where is a good restaurant?     hal hunaaka mat’amun jayyidun هل هناك مطعم جيد؟

I have a reservation                              ladaia hajz       لدي حجز

How do I get to                          kaif adh’hab ela    كيف أذهب إلى؟

Sorry I don’t understand         asif la afham       آسف لا أفهم 

 

   

 

In the end, with the help of this simple guide, you can travel to any Arab country you want without worrying about

communication errors with natives or facing any unexpected situation that may leave you Stumbling.

 

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